Hello Ray,

I felt very much like you do when I was your age – I think hormones have a lot to do with it! I love that you are optimistic and ready to find the positive in most situations and I think that attitude helps in understanding that critical or constructive remarks are hard for everyone to accept graciously. You know your mum loves you and wants the best for you, so I think reminding yourself of that fact will help you when she says something that you don’t like.

Whenever I feel like reacting negatively to a criticism, I take a deep breath and often choose to say nothing. If I can do this even for a few moments I find the desire to get upset or yell recedes. It takes practice, but it does work. Often, too even though you say you are not comfortable with it, just expressing how you feel to the other person really, really helps. For example, “I understand what you are saying, but I having difficulty accepting that right now.” or using your own words from above, “I’m working on accepting criticism, but its a bit difficult.”

I hope this helps,

Love and peace,

Marilyn